How to Hire Senior Executives

Understanding how to hire senior executives is an important skill for a startup CEO. The CEO can think through the following alternatives:

In all startup ecosystems there are informal ways for interested executives to meet startup CEOs.
Hire friends of your friends or those recommended by advisers or other startup CEOs.
Hire consultants as consultants. Later they may be migrated to employee roles.
Retain an executive search firm (only after you are flush with cash)

In all cases, look for candidates used to smaller organizations and don’t focus on those with big-business credentials. They may be accustomed to having a lot of rules to follow and to having large staffs to do the work.

How to select an Executive Search Firm

Consider the following in retaining an executive search firm:

There are thousands of agencies, who can provide similar service. You need to shortlist a few, on the basis of recommendation and ratings.
When you have your shortlist, meet the consultants personally for better understanding.
Find out for how long the agency and individual have provided these services.
Ask them how they identify candidates for such jobs, and how they will select candidates for your job requirement.
Understand their payment terms. It is better to select a firm that charges with instalments.
Ask what the agency will do, when you find their candidate is inappropriate for the job, within the first month of joining.
Talk with a few of their past clients.

Conclusion – How to Hire Senior Executives

The search agencies can gift a jewel to your startup. If you are having a number of management vacancies, then you must look for a consultant. They can analyse the candidates according to your business needs. Alternatively, if you are still cash constrained; work through your consultants, friends and colleagues.

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